The synthesis of arom. ether functionalized norbornene monomers was accomplished using chloroarene cyclopentadienyliron complexes. Monomers contg. aliph. ether linkages or bulky arom. ether groups within their structures were synthesized. These monomers were subjected to ring-opening metathesis polymn. reactions in the presence of Grubbs' catalyst. Polymers with arom. ether and thioether backbones functionalized with norbornene groups were also synthesized, and the ring-opening polymn. of these materials was carried out. The properties of polynorbornenes contg. cationic organoiron units pendent to their side chains were examd. using cyclic voltammetry and thermogravimetric anal. [on SciFinder(R)]